Omar Abdullah elected first Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir since Article 370 abrogation

Omar Abdullah has been elected as the first Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370. His party, the National Conference, won 42 out of 51 contested seats in the recent legislative elections, surprising many. This election marks a significant shift, as Jammu and Kashmir is now a Union Territory, having lost its special status in 2019. Abdullah faces challenges in meeting public expectations while navigating the constraints imposed by the central government. He aims to rebuild weakened institutions and foster a cooperative relationship with the Centre. Abdullah's leadership comes after a decade-long gap in elections, and he has promised to address key issues, including governance and political prisoner releases.